Xi3 Says It Was Asked To Build A Product Like Piston By Valve

Xi3, the makers of the tiny Piston console – currently being dubbed as the ‘unofficial Steam Box’ – have stood up to shun Valve’s no-involvement statements, claiming that the company had not only backed the console, but also invested in it.

“We reaffirm the fact that we received an investment from Valve Corporation (as we previously disclosed during the 2013 International CES trade show), and we did so with Valve’s written permission.

“Second, we were asked to build a product specifically for Valve, and both companies showcased this product – the Piston Console – in their respective booths at CES 2013.”

The above statements were made by Jason A. Sullivan to Eurogamer, and he was quite clear about the fact that the machine was designed specifically with Steam and Big Picture Mode in mind.

Although Valve is working on a Steam Box of its own, the organization has always maintained that third-party Steam Boxes will also be in development. But Sullivan is currently unhappy with Valve’s claims of not being involved, though he still clarifies that the Piston isn’t the official Steam Box.

“…the assumption of many in the media has been that Piston is the ‘official’ Steam Box. We’ve never said that and neither has Valve. That hasn’t changed. But just because Valve may not ‘currently’ have any ‘involvement with any product of (ours)’ doesn’t mean that such involvement won’t exist in the future.”

“In closing, what Valve does or doesn’t do with its Steam Box will be up to them. So Gabe, it’s up to you. The ball is in your court.”

Is it just me, or does that above sentence translate as “touché’, Gabe Newell”?